NEW YORK: Howard Rubenstein is using his connections with cultural and political leaders to try to restore Michael Richards' reputation after the former "Seinfeld" star's racist tirade.

The veteran head of Rubenstein Associates said that Richards called him in the week following the uproar over his recorded slurs. "I introduced him to the Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Reverend Al Sharpton, who are friends of mine," said Rubenstein. "I also had him speak to the 100 Black Men organization."

He said that Richards was "quite fragile" because of his grief over the incident, and is currently undergoing psychiatric treatment.

"What our plans are in the future will be determined by his mental health, and how he's taking all this," Rubenstein said. He added that outreach efforts to different groups will continue, but not necessarily through the media.

"We have probably 100 invitations from media for him to be on [already]," he said.